Xiaomi opens Europe's first electric car centre in Munich. And snatches talent from Bmw
At the home of Bmw, Xiaomi wants to shed the label of 'copier' of other models
2' min read
2' min read
Following the launch of the SU7, SU7 Ultra and YU7 models in China, Xiaomi is taking a concrete step towards its entry into the European market, scheduled for 2027. The consumer electronics giant (smartphones, smart home, IoT) with big ambitions in the automotive sector is opening the first Xiaomi EV R&D and Design Centre in Europe, in Munich. It should be noted that this is the first facility of its kind outside China.
The new centre is located in the heart of one of Europe's leading hubs for automotive engineering and design. The aim is to develop high-performance electric vehicles, design innovations and technologies related to intelligent driving, always with a focus on safety and global quality standards.
According to Xiaomi, the project strengthens the EV division's global innovation network, which has propelled it to quadruple its stock market value (now just under USD 200 billion) since its commercial launch at the end of March 2024. The choice of Munich is no coincidence: the city is home to a strong automotive tradition and an industrial ecosystem capable of accelerating research and development. The centre will also be dedicated to customer orientation and the experimentation of new mobility solutions.
The 'talent hunt' in Bmw's backyard
.The opening of the Munich centre is not only of symbolic value. Xiaomi has launched a real recruitment campaign in the heart of the German automotive industry, targeting in particular Bmw's engineers and designers. The latest hit is called Kai Langer, long-standing head of design for the BMW electric range. Langer, after more than 20 years in Munich, has decided to leave BMW to take up a new challenge with Xiaomi. For the Chinese company, this is a major addition: a designer with long experience in the electric car sector, ready to bring decisive expertise for a quantum leap in the sector. Details of his role have not yet been released, but it seems likely that he will be involved in defining the styling of the brand's future electric cars.
In fact, if the Xiaomi cars have already demonstrated a good technical level, there is no shortage of criticism on the design front. The SU7 has been accused of looking too much like the Porsche Taycan, while the YU7 SUV closely resembles the Ferrari Purosangue. With the arrival of Kai Langer, Xiaomi aims to free itself from the 'copycat' label and sign cars with a more original and recognisable design.
